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An hour with the bins


kev100

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Hiya. 

I wasn't expecting to get out last night, Clear Outside has given full cloud cover for the foreseeable future, but last night I popped my head outside at about 9 o'clock and the sky was crystal clear! Was very tempted to get the scope out, but the rain water still dripping from the trees, plus the very wet ground put pay to that notion. So, not wanting to miss the opportunity, I grabbed my 20x80 bins and a light tripod and went out for an hour. 

Absolutely crystal clear sky! I started at Cassiopeia/Perseus. The Double cluster was amazing, as was NGC 663. Then the Plieades, proper beautiful!

Swung north to Ursa Major and got Ms 81, 82, 51 and 101 (the latter two quite faint smudges, but 81 and 82 were actually quite clear).

Left again to Hercules and M13 stood out very clearly with just a hint of a peppering of stars around the dense core, then up to M92 (smaller than 13, less in the way of detail).

Alberio split into its component stars beautifully, M27 stood out bright and clear (with the apple core shape clearly visible). The coathanger asterism gleaming against a backdrop of black sky and a multitude of stars!

Next, I dropped down the milky way until I landed on M11. Like everything I looked at this was pin sharp and crisp against the black sky.

Swung up to M2 (smaller than M13 but still bright and clear).

Left again, this time to Andromeda. Wow! First time I'd ever seen the major dust lane with the binoculars, the galaxy extending way beyond the fov.

Dropped down looking for M33, more in hope than expectation, and, again, wow! No problem finding it at all. With averted vision I was convinced I could see a hint of spiral arm!

Back round for a final look at the Pliades and then the double cluster, then home, by which time the binoculars were misted up and dripping with moisture.

Nothing really new, but a really enjoyable (and unexpected) hour with the bins (they've been a bit neglected lately in favour of the scope).

Kev.

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Thanks Kev

Reading a good observing report certainly peps up the old moral. Especially when faced with our current impenetrable & interminable blanket of cloud.

And the great thing about it being a snatched hour with the bins, is that jealousy doesn't start spoiling the enjoyment. :)

Paul

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Really enjoyed your report. It really does give hope for clear skies again in the future. This morning was crystal clear with us; I wish I'd realised earlier that it was so; by the time I did it was time to go to work, just as the waning moon and Jupiter were beginning to get surrounded by the inky blue dawn. Must remember to always look out as soon as I get up!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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  • 2 weeks later...

Great report ! Always on the lookout for a bino report with such detail on the observations. With my busy scedule this is my sort of stargazing , glad to be rid of the mosqitos here in the southern states finally had our first freeze. I expect to find myself out on more evenings that I'm able. Clear skies to all from Hot Springs National Park Arkansas USA

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